2024-25 Miss Tennessee Basketball Finalists Revealed in DII-A

The votes are! Yesterday, the TSSAA released the finalist for the 2024-25 Miss Tennessee Basketball nominees. This award honors the top hooper in each classification based on their body of work during the regular season. No postseason success factors into the process, that being said there will be six finalists representing each classification.   Coaches and media members from around the state (sorry, I am not one), took a pool of players and nominated the three top players in each classification. Unfortunately, we won't know the winners for a few weeks as a committee of sports writers from across the state come together and vote. There will be a ceremony at MTSU's Tucker Theatre on March 18th, announcing the winners of this year's awards.   This is a six-part article focusing on the nominees from each class. Without further ado, I would like to introduce to you the 2024-25 finalists from DII-A.    The real deal. With over 30 schools jockeying for her services, this kid is a showtime you must see. She's a Team USA participant, sharpening her skills against the country's best. Last year she helped lead her club to a state title with hopes of repeating the same feat this year. Haylen isn't a finished product and keeps getting better every time she steps onto the floor. She is a threat from all over the court, however, it's her defense that seals the deal as she is a menace on that end of the floor. Active hands and feet, this kid is an all-around gamer and is a major talent. Only a sophomore, she is reaching heights few very well obtain.     An international sensation, she is phenomenal in the open floor. Blessed with size, she can exploit a defense in multiple ways. DB can create off the dribble, spot up on along the arc, post up, face up, dang she just scores the rock. What I love about her even more is her confidence. Every time the ball leaves her hand, she believes it is going in (and usually does). She's long and defensively she gets steals, deflections, and block shots. She contributes on the board as well, making it tough for opponents to get extra shot attempts. She's been a top prospect for years and will attend Ohio State this fall. Sensational talent who is fun to watch.     It takes hard work and consistency, which is what this young lady has done to get to this point. She has outworked many and has molded herself into a fine prospect to watch. This kid is solid and is willing to do battle whenever and wherever. A 3-level scoring threat who doesn't get a lot of publicity, however, knows how to be a leader amongst many. She is solid on both ends of the floor, a selfless person who knows what to do and what the team needs to obtain a victory. Team over Me, though this is a mantra, MB stands by it as she elevates her game and those around her. She went from being little-known to must-be-seen. A stud of a player who continues to grow and shine all together.    These are the young ladies who missed the cut. By no means should their accomplishments need to go unnoticed. Though they weren't a part of the three finalists, their body of work and style of play still need to be mentioned as they too have had a phenomenal season.    A batterymate of [player_tooltip player_id='821765' first='Maddie' last='Braden'], this young lady to has done a phenomenal job of leading the Lady Warriors to victory. Averaging 18 points a game and owning the boards, this kid is packed with tons of talent. She too has grinded her way into a solid prospect that coaches need to keep an eye out for. She's a solid two-prospect who gets it done on both ends of the floor.     She's a Lady Lion with a heart of a warrior. Talk about someone who has battled adversity, this young lady has risen. She is a UTC signee who is averaging 26 points per game. I've said it before, but she is a bucket-getter who inflicts total dominance over her opponent. She's a tough competitor who can create, exploit, and get after it on both ends of the floor. She's been awesome to cover the last four years and I look forward to seeing big things from this future Lady Moc.     Solid. Steady. Poise. These three words describe this young lady and the work she does on the basketball floor. She is a walking double-double who performs at a high level. She plays with grit, hustles on every play, and competes. She is the X factor of the Nashville Christian program and will continue to help set the precedent of a club on the rise.     An up-and-coming star who is putting the area and the state on notice. She has that swagger about herself, that exudes confidence. This kid is a gamechanger, who battles every possession. A heady ball player who makes the right plays. Scores from multiple spots on the floor, makes timely assists, on the offensive end she is one that coaches must stop. Defensively, she is a tenacious defender, hunting for the ball every single time down the floor. An awesome talent who will be on college coaches' radars sooner rather than later if not now.

The votes are! Yesterday, the TSSAA released the finalist for the 2024-25 Miss Tennessee Basketball nominees. This award honors the top hooper in each classification based on their body of work during the regular season. No postseason success factors into the process, that being said there will be six finalists representing each classification.